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2016 F150 Scab/5.0/6.5'/3.31/trailer tow package
GVWR 7050, rear GAWR 3800, front GAWR 3450
Given that...
Until last week, I owned a 1600 lb pop-up camper. The truck pulled that sucker around like it wasn't there. That was the biggest/heaviest thing I've pulled, until last week, when I picked up a new camper:
Forest River Vibe 243BHS, unloaded dry weight about 5200 lbs, Equalizer 10k WDH.
We took our first trip in it this weekend, about 34-40 minutes on the expressway, another 30 minutes or so on two-lane roads. Here are some observations, with a few questions for the "experts" after.
Dealer configured the hitch; said the truck should be at about the same angle with the trailer connected as without
Because of this, in the picture above, with my internet-educated eye, there looks to be just a bit of an arch (trailer fluids are empty, all our crap is loaded in the trailer, nothing in the truck bed)
Have to remember to be aware of the third dimension (height) so I don't have to explain to my wife why the a/c unit is missing
On the highway, I used tow/haul mode and kept the speed at 65-70. There was no sway, but it did feel like it was "floating" at times. Not really bouncing, but "light". It didn't feel unsafe, just different.
It seemed like the ride was "harsher"; like we felt more of the bumps & potholes
Acceleration was slow, especially the up hill on-ramps; nice sound from the V8 in 3rd gear at 3500 RPMs
I'm still looking for a scale to measure the axle weights
After experiencing the amenities/benefits that come with a nice travel trailer, we're glad we didn't get the 5500 lb (dry) Sting Ray boat
Overall 10.3 MPG
Now for my questions:
When towing a similar weight, how does your truck perform? Does having 3.55 or 3.73 gears make any difference? (Not that it matters now)
How does your truck "feel" with a large trailer?
How does the hitch setup look? Too high? Do I need to remove a washer or two? I have the paperwork that came with the hitch/camper, but haven't read through it yet.
As far as the height, internet guessing is only going to take you so far. Measure the height of the front / rear of the truck unloaded and then with the trailer hitched up and WDH hooked up. Follow instructions from Equalizer to verify the setup is correct.
3.55 or 3.73 will basically keep the truck from downshifting as much. Just lock out some of the upper gears if the tranny is "hunting".
Both of my aluminum trucks really ride rough when you hit a bump, especially when towing
Swap out the rear shocks if they are still OEM with some Bilstien 5100's and that will firm up the ride a bit. Do you have levels on the trailer? You need them to set up so the refer wont burn up. You can use that once hitched and on level ground to verify if the trailer is level. That trailer looks to be a bit difficult to measure for level since the A frame appears to be lower than the floor frame (based on the picture).
With no sway it sounds like they got the setup correct (which is surprising considering the level of expertise most dealers lack). As long as your weights are within specs, you got yourself a nice setup.
Those 3.31 gears will make your engine scream, at least they aren't 3.15 like I had in my 14 EB, while the EB pulled like crazy, the drone at 2500 RPM in 4th doing 60 MPH was grating after a while. The shorter gears will work better for towing that trailer.
I do need some better pictures, though. When I take it out to get weighed I'll find a flat parking lot somewhere.
Question (not directed at acdii personally): you say "which is surprising considering the level of expertise most dealers lack," and I've read similar sentiments in other threads. I imagine that dealers install hitches every day, and that their livelihood (in part) depends on proper installation & happy customers. Why the general distrust toward dealers?
The drone uphill wasn't so bad, even when it dropped to 3rd gear. I just imagined I was in one of those TFL videos going up to the Eisenhower tunnel...
Question (not directed at acdii personally): you say "which is surprising considering the level of expertise most dealers lack," and I've read similar sentiments in other threads. I imagine that dealers install hitches every day, and that their livelihood (in part) depends on proper installation & happy customers. Why the general distrust toward dealers?
Because they have a vested interest in you making a purchase, and of as large (expensive) a trailer as they can talk you into. Since they don't put in writing "we guarantee this trailer is within the capacity of your tow vehicle", once you buy they've got you. You have an issue, come back, they either adjust the hitch or sell you a better one.
As to "happy customers", the vast majority of customers are ill-informed, ignorant, or just don't care. They hook up and go. You point out that they are 25% over capacity and they look at you funny. Few do the math. Few do the research before buying the truck, the trailer, or both. If they have an accident, and someone gets hurt or dies, how many times do you think the accident investigation identifies overloading, and it was pointed back to the dealer?
Ask the dealer to note on the contract that the max trailer weight (loaded) that's affixed to the trailer on a plate/sticker does not exceed the capacity of your tow vehicle's axles or payload or vehicle maximums. Then ask an officer of the company to sign that. Watch them walk away...
People trust salespeople (in all businesses) too much IMO. They are in that job to sell product. Their focus is to make money for the business and themselves. That's why in the real estate business a buyer can hire a buyer's agent that represents them, not the seller, to look out for their best interests.
I do need some better pictures, though. When I take it out to get weighed I'll find a flat parking lot somewhere.
Question (not directed at acdii personally): you say "which is surprising considering the level of expertise most dealers lack," and I've read similar sentiments in other threads. I imagine that dealers install hitches every day, and that their livelihood (in part) depends on proper installation & happy customers. Why the general distrust toward dealers?
The drone uphill wasn't so bad, even when it dropped to 3rd gear. I just imagined I was in one of those TFL videos going up to the Eisenhower tunnel...
This is because unlike a car dealership where actual mechanics are required to work on the vehicles ( and that is questionable as to whether they are real mechanics or button pushers today), RV dealerships don't have a real mechanic to do the work because they aren't actually needed. Lets face it, any travel trailer, whether is is a tag along or a 5th wheel has no engine or transmission or steering gear, and the only mechanical systems that would require a mechanic are the wheels and axles, and just about anyone can qualify to change out those components. Their service people are more along the lines of a general repair specialist for household electric, HVAC, Plumbing, ETC, the bread and butter of the RV trade. Most, if not all farm out the real mechanical work of a motorhome, such as the generator, engine, transmission and driveline.
A proper hitch setup can take several hours and RV dealers don't want to have to pay the real mechanic rates to spend that time installing a hitch, it isn't worth their time, so they slap it on, and send you on your way. Very few of the people who bolt the hitch together even understand the weight principals involved and would not even think of scaling it to verify proper setup.
Makes me wonder at times how many RV dealers even have a tongue weight scale. I know the place I bought mine from didn't have one when I asked. The guy who hooked mine up said, looks good! It was NOT! The entire head had to be moved back 1/4" to get the proper tension on the bars.
05-30-2017, 08:32 AM
First Trip With New Camper
